TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands SJU-ESI question - advice needed - thanks!

Hi, we are arriving in SJU via Delta at 11:45 a.m. We are departing by Intercaribbean at 2:35. I have read on this forum that there might be some issues if we check our bags due to having to obtain our checked bags and reenter the airport and go through security, etc.

We are looking at doing carryons but we are bringing our snorkel gear with us which is posing the problem. Do you think we would have enough time with 2 hours from arrival to departure in SJU to obtain our checked luggage without issue and make it to the IC departure gate?

Or should we really try to do carry ons only?

We are traveling with a 6 year old so we want to ensure we plan this trip as efficiently and safely as possible. Missing our IC flight is not an option.

How does everyone else pack for a week in the BVIs when flying into EIS? Thanks for your insight and advice!

Plenty of time. If you're really worried have the 6 year old stay with 1 parent inside security. No need to drag the kid outside security.

You have almost 3 hours so I wouldn't worry about it. I did it with an hour 2 weeks ago and still had time to get a drink before the IC flight.

Thank you for your feedback!

Echoing Jason it was easy on IC 2 weeks ago. IC goes out of gate D at SJU and we came in B. 2 groups down on different days (DCA - SJU - EIS) and 1 group back no issues with less than 2 hours time and we made it in 35 mins. On the way down you dont leave the airport and go back through security...it is coming back from EIS to SJU where you have to reenter security at SJU.

On way back EIS security is somewhat slow so I like to get there and get through the security door with time to spare. EIS now actually takes the bags that weigh over 10lbs at the EIS gate and puts them on the plane as opposed to making you carry them through security

In regards to snorkel gear we pack masks and snorkel or full face gear and then get the fins down there. If it comes down to avoiding checking or taking fins then we are getting fins down there. Make good use of the personal item...we bring on dry bags with gear

Pack 1/2 the clothes and 2x the cash...:)

Have fun
Rob

Thank you! Quick question, what is it that costs more than I might think? Is it everything or just food/drink, etc.? Trying to figure out how much cash to bring as opposed to using credit cards. We plan to use ferries, maybe rent a car, maybe a couple taxis, definitely eating out. . .I appreciate your advice

Are you staying in a villa, hotel, bareboat? How long will you be down? This will help determine how much cash you need.

If you have checked bags, do you have to go back through security on your way down? I thought you had to go to baggage claim, get your bags, and then come back through. The comment above about not going through a second time got my attention. My previous times with SJU either involved carry on only, or an overnight at the hotel. I did leave about 3 hours on the way down for my upcoming trip. TIA.

We are staying at Scrub Island but planning to do excursions to JVD, VG, and potentially Anegada as well as explore Tortola itself. What do you recommend as far as cash?

You do need to go back through security if you have checked bags. I consider two hours the minimum to do that but she actually has almost 3 hours between flights which should be fine. I would suggest she send one person to retrieve and recheck the bags while the other remains inside security with the 6 year old.
G

If you InterCaribbean flight is on the same ticket as your flight from the US, will they transfer your bags? I always that bags on codeshare flights were checked all the way to EIS.

In that instance, you're probably correct. In mine, they aren't codeshared, so I'll have to go out and back in. I was planning on that being the case, but the previous comments gave me a glimmer of hope. I land at 3:07 on Delta and fly out at 6:00 on IC.

To clarify my comments my experience (post Irma) is with carry on only...I don't believe IC codeshares with anyone.

I apologize for my lack of clarity

You can use a credit card for ferries, rental cars and at most restaurants. You will need cash for cabs, tips and occasionally a restaurants credit card machine being down.

You don't have to flick around on Tripadvisor for very long before you find someone complaining about being double-charged or over-charged or otherwise scammed in BVI bars and restaurants when using cards.

Happened to us years back and we have been cash-only ever since.

The only place we use card is in Riteway when provisioning on day 1.

I don't like carrying that much cash. My credit card protects me from double charges, if they happen. In 23 trips, I have only had one double charge and that was at Emerald Beach last year. We stayed in April and was charged for our rooms, food, etc. Then in October, a duplicate charge showed up on my CC statement. It was resolved quickly. Also, using my Capital One card, it comes with some benefits; if I rent a car, it covers insurance, if I buy anything and it gets lost or stolen, they replace it. Capital One does not charge an exchange fee either.

What she said.

Capital One covers rental car insurance for FREE, outside the country? Would be surprised at that, if so.

That is correct. You still have to purchase the least amount of liability required by the country you are in.

OK, sorry, guess I was thinking of liability insurance, which I knew wasn't included with any credit card.

On our last trip in January a group traveling on our same IC flight ran into problems and got separated. Part of their group stayed behind (in the gate area) while two others collected their checked luggage at baggage claim. Unfortunately they were delayed for whatever reason and got to the ticket counter with less than an hour from departure. The ticket counter was closed and they missed their flight. I believe they were able to catch the next flight, though they got the last two seats.

If you check luggage you will need to re-check in at the IC ticket counter outside security. The IC ticket counter closes 1 hour before the flight departs. If the ticket counter is closed you will miss your flight. Same agents man both the ticket counter and the gate, hence why the one hour cut off.

Others can speak to whether 2-3 hours is sufficient time to collect your luggage from baggage claim and get to the IC ticket counter with an hour to spare. We always do carry on.

You didn’t say what day of the week you are traveling. We have done same thing at SJU. Weekdays are no problem but Saturdays are a nightmare to get back thru security. Luckily we had TSA pre-check or we would have missed our flight 😑